2014 WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS: Malawi bows, say Calabar is safe

FOOTBALL Association of Malawi (FAM) is comfortable with Calabar to host the crucial World Cup qualifier against Nigeria.

This is in contrast to the association’s fears over the choice of Calabar which prompted Fam to lodge a complaint to Fifa to consider it changing the venue because of security concerns.

Fam General Secretary Suzgo Nyirenda, who left earlier week as an advance party with the association’s accountant Christopher Mdoloto to check on the condition of the state, said their counterparts have given them a warm reception.

Nyirenda stated in a media statement yesterday that they were given a chance to inspect some hotels and settled for Dannic Hotel.

“Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) welcomed the two in Abuja as well as in Calabar. They inspected some of the hotels in Calabar and they have settled for the Dannic Hotel (10 minutes to the stadium). The hotel is new and resembles the Golden Peacock Hotel in Lilongwe and it is generally a good hotel,” Nyirenda said.

Contrary to their expectations, Nyirenda confessed that NFF has been supportive.

“NFF has provided every support required and there a are no stones unturned in making sure that all is set for the game. Everyone in Calabar is talking about the game and the game fever is so high here,” reads the statement.

The Flames advance party inspected the training venue and then attended a preparatory meeting to be conducted by the NFF.

Nyirenda is optimistic that the Flames would find the weather favourable since its rainy season in Nigeria.

“In terms of weather, it has been showering this Monday afternoon as we are still in the rainy season in Nigeria. It is generally cool and I think our players will like the weather,” he said.

Flames, who are in Botswana for a friendly game on Tuesday are expected to leave today for Accra, Ghana where they will now connect to Calabar on Thursday.